Aerosol actuation device

ABSTRACT

An aerosol actuator including a director capable of extending an outlet of the aerosol actuator away from the aerosol actuator and which may be configured to include a multi-function nozzle for selecting a dispersing pattern.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the invention relate to aerosol sprayer devices and more particularly to aerosol actuators having a delivery or director piece and nozzle.

2. State of the Art

Spray devices are well known and are used to deliver a variety of products. For example, finger pumps and trigger sprayers may be used to deliver a fluid from a container onto a surface or into a volume of space. Similarly, aerosol sprayers are used to spray an aerosolized product onto a surface or into a volume of space. Many different types of spray devices are known.

Aerosol spray devices typically include a pushbutton type spray device containing an orifice and a connection to a valve which is in turn connected to a container of product from which the aerosol product is dispensed. Actuation of the pushbutton releases a quantity of product from the aerosol container through the valve and the pushbutton. More recently, aerosol spray devices have been modified to look more like trigger sprayers and such devices may include a trigger attached to, or in communication with, a manifold which is connected to the valve of an aerosol container. Actuation of the trigger may release product from the aerosol container through the valve, into the manifold, and out an orifice of the trigger spray device.

When using either a pushbutton-type aerosol device or a trigger sprayer aerosol device, product is dispensed relatively close to the aerosol bottle and in some instances, bearding or droplets forming on the end of a manifold or exit orifice may drip or otherwise come in contact with a user's hand or body. Such contact may be undesirable.

In addition, some aerosol actuators include extension tubes which may be fastened to an aerosol actuator to direct product through the tube to a release point away from the user. While such systems are used, often times the tube must be shipped separate from the aerosol package and in some cases must be thrown away after a single use, preventing further use of the aerosol device.

While conventional aerosol delivery systems provide methods for dispensing product, it is desirable to be able to dispense a product away from a user and to be able to reuse the director or extension used to direct the dispensing of the aerosol product.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to certain embodiments of the invention, an aerosol actuator may include one or more directors mounted on the aerosol actuator such that the director may pivot or rotate between an on and off position.

According to some embodiments of the invention, a director may include one or more nozzles which may be rotated between any one or more of an “off” position, a “stream” position, a “spray” position, a “foam” position, or other desired output position.

According to various embodiments of the invention, a director or nozzle, or both, may be incorporated into the design of the aerosol actuator for any one or more of easy storage, improved ergonomics, preferred aesthetics, or otherwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming particular embodiments of the present invention, various embodiments of the invention can be more readily understood and appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art from the following descriptions of various embodiments of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an aerosol actuator according to various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an aerosol actuator according to various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a top-down view of an aerosol actuator according to various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the aerosol actuator illustrated in FIG. 3 along line 4-4;

FIG. 5 illustrates a top-down view of an aerosol actuator according to various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the aerosol actuator illustrated in FIG. 5 along line 6-6;

FIG. 7 illustrates a component view of an aerosol actuator according to various embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the aerosol actuator illustrated in FIG. 7 along line 8-8;

FIG. 9 illustrates an aerosol actuator according to various embodiments of the invention; and

FIG. 10 illustrates an aerosol actuator according to various embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to embodiments of the invention, an aerosol actuator 100 may include one or more directors 110. The one or more directors 110 may be configured to direct a product for dispersing away from a body of the aerosol actuator 100.

An aerosol actuator 100 according to various embodiments of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. As illustrated, an aerosol actuator 100 may include a director 110. Other components of an aerosol actuator 100 may include conventional components such as a base 190, a trigger 192, a spring 194 or cap, and a manifold 196. For example, an aerosol actuator 100 according to embodiments of the invention may include an aerosol actuator such as those disclosed in PCT Application PCT/US11/48816 entitled “AEROSOL ACTUATORS,” filed 23 Aug. 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

An aerosol actuator 100 according to embodiments of the invention may be connected to or mated with a container 900 such as an aerosol container containing a product. The connection and use of an aerosol actuator 100 to a container 900 may be done using any number of conventional methods.

Various configurations and operating states of an aerosol actuator 100 according to various embodiments of the invention are illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 10. According to various embodiments of the invention, an aerosol actuator 100 may include a director 110. In some embodiments, a director 110 may be configured to extend an exit flow path for a product being sprayed or dispersed by the aerosol actuator 100. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 5, 6, and 10, a director 110 may be extended away from a trigger 192 of the aerosol actuator 100 such that the exit orifice of the aerosol actuator 100 is away from the body of the aerosol actuator 100.

In some embodiments of the invention, a director 110 may fold out to an extended position as illustrated in FIG. 2 and be folded into the aerosol actuator 100, or an opening or slot in the aerosol actuator 100, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

According to some other embodiments of the invention, a nozzle 120 may be assembled with, integral to, or connected to the director 110. A nozzle 120 may have an input and an exit. A nozzle 120 may include various stream, dispersing, or spray selections. For example, a nozzle 120 may include an “off” position in which product flow is blocked through the nozzle 120. A nozzle 120 may also include a “stream” position, “spray” position, or “foam” position as conventionally known with trigger sprayers but not used with aerosol dispensing systems.

A nozzle 120 according to various embodiments of the invention may rotate on an end of the director 110 such that various selections may be made for the dispensing of a product from a container 900 to which the aerosol actuator 100 may be attached.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, an aerosol actuator 100 may include a director 110 folded back into a slot in the aerosol actuator 100. A fluid flow path 112 in the director 110 may be visible when folded back as illustrated.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, a director 110 may be extended out for dispersing a product from the aerosol actuator 100. While the director 110 illustrated in FIG. 2 is folded out, it is understood that a director 110 could also slide out or be extended in another fashion. For example, a director 110 may slide in and out of a slot on the aerosol actuator 100. In such instances, a nozzle 120 may be placed on the opposite end of the director 110 illustrated in FIG. 1.

A top-down view of an aerosol actuator 100 according to certain embodiments of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 3 and a cross-sectional view thereof is illustrated in FIG. 4. As shown, the director 110 may fold back or rotate about a ball or cylindrical portion to rest within the aerosol actuator 100. When rotated in a closed position as illustrated in FIG. 4, a portion of the ball or cylinder may seal with an o-ring 118 at an exit of the manifold 196. The seal between the o-ring 118 and the director 110 may prevent flow through the aerosol actuator 100.

According to some embodiments of the invention, when the director 110 is folded back or stored in the aerosol actuator 100 as illustrated in FIG. 3, the position of the director 110 may prevent actuation of the aerosol actuator 100.

A top-down view of an aerosol actuator 100 with a director 110 in an open state according to various embodiments of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 5 and a cross-sectional view thereof is illustrated in FIG. 6. As illustrated, when the director 110 is extended out, a flow path from the manifold 196 is opened through the director 110 and any nozzle 120 attached thereto. In some embodiments, the nozzle 120 may also be turned to stop or close flow from the director 110 even when the director 110 is in the illustrated open state or position.

In some embodiments of the invention, a seal between an o-ring 118 and the director 110 may prevent leakage during operation of the aerosol actuator 100.

An aerosol actuator 100 assembly according to various embodiments of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 7. A cross-sectional view thereof is illustrated in FIG. 8.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrated side views of an aerosol actuator 100 according to various embodiments of the invention.

Having thus described certain particular embodiments of the invention, it is understood that the invention defined by the appended claims is not to be limited by particular details set forth in the above description, as many apparent variations thereof are contemplated. Rather, the invention is limited only be the appended claims, which include within their scope all equivalent devices or methods which operate according to the principles of the invention as described. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An aerosol dispensing system, comprising: a container; an aerosol actuator mounted on the container, comprising: a body; an integrated trigger, manifold, and cap attached to the body; and a director assembled to the integrated trigger, manifold, and cap.
 2. The aerosol dispensing system of claim 1, further comprising a director slot in the integrated trigger, manifold, and cap.
 3. The aerosol dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the integrated cap comprises a spring.
 4. The aerosol dispensing system of claim 1, further comprising a nozzle attached to the director.
 5. The aerosol dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the director further comprises an integrated nozzle.
 6. The aerosol dispensing system of claim 1, further comprising a nozzle having a selectable output.
 7. The aerosol dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the container further comprises an aerosol container holding a product. 